AN AWARD winning rail ticket scheme in the Tamar Valley is celebrating its fifth birthday.

The Tamar Valley Line Carnet was launched by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership in June 2004 with the aim of increasing passenger numbers on Tamar Valley Line trains. 

The Carnet is a book of ten discounted single tickets between Tamar Valley Line stations and Plymouth, sold only through one of six local post offices and businesses.  Tickets are valid on any train at any time up to a fixed expiry date.

More than 12,000 Carnet tickets have been sold and passenger figures on the line are up by 51.7% since 2004. One in five journeys on the line is made using a Carnet. In its five-year history, the Carnet has won two national awards.

One of the retailers is Margaret Willmott from Margaret's Hairdressing in Bere Ferrers — she said she was probably the only hairdresser in the country selling rail tickets.

'All sorts of people come in to buy Carnets and it's great they are doing so well and supporting the railway and the local economy,' she said.

A Carnet from Calstock or Gunnislake to Plymouth costs £22 and Bere Alston or Bere Ferrers to Plymouth £17. They are sold in Margaret's Hairdressing, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston Post Office, John Brown's Stores in Bere Alston, Levine's in Calstock, Pearce's at Drakewalls and Gunnislake Post Office. Tickets can be used up to December 31.

More information about the Carnets is available from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership on 01752 233094.